Nasal esketamine works better than alternative for treatment-resistant depression, study finds

• Esketamine vs. Quetiapine: Esketamine nasal spray was more effective for treatment-resistant depression. At eight weeks, 27.1% of esketamine users were in remission, compared to 17.6% of quetiapine users.

• Benchmark Surpassed: The esketamine remission rate exceeded a previous benchmark where only 13% of similar patients reached remission with other drugs.

• Study Limitations: The research primarily involved white participants and only compared esketamine to one other drug. The different administration methods (hospital for esketamine vs. home for quetiapine) might have influenced results.

• Safety & Regulation: Esketamine's long-term safety is uncertain, and it's a controlled substance in the U.S. due to potential abuse. Insurance might cover it, but with extensive documentation.